Join Vince on the Dread Alert Podcast as he welcomes author Dylan DeGrave to discuss his outstanding debut novel, Heller. Dylan shares the inspiration behind his slasher story, which just hit shelves on December 1st.

The conversation dives deep into the novel's unique blend of horror and heartfelt, personal themes. Dylan discusses the complex relationships in the novel, shifting the setting away from typical "white picket fence" neighborhoods to focus on less desirable areas often overlooked in the genre, and a few horror inspirations that contributed to his truly unique story.

Episode Highlights:

• The origins of Heller, starting from a desire to see a slasher story set in a lower-income environment.
• Dylan's focus on character relationships which makes it a truly unique slasher story.
• Dylan’s writing process, and advice for young writers
• Heller’s Horror Influences on the page and on the screen
• The decision to self-publish Heller to keep the book's ending intact, which was crucial for setting up the sequel.
• Dylan’s upcoming projects, including Heller part two, a supernatural vampire story set in his Northern California hometown, and a trippy haunted house story.

Follow Dylan DeGrave:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cantkilldill

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cantkilldill

Website: https://www.dylandegrave.com/

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In this episode of the Dread Alert Podcast, Vince sits down with acclaimed horror author Michael Wehunt to discuss his chilling new novel, The October Film Haunt, a haunting fusion of found footage horror, metafiction, and digital dread.

Wehunt, best known for his short story collection Greener Pastures, unpacks the inspirations for the novel, how writing novels differs from short stories, the terrifying realism of analog horror and found footage, and how belief itself can become the most dangerous supernatural force of all.

The October Film Haunt blends demonic possession, slasher tropes, and viral horror into one unforgettable novel. Hear Michael’s thoughts on The Blair Witch Project, the found footage genre, writing with authenticity, and how horror reflects our darkest cultural fears.

Highlights include:
What The October Film Haunt is About
From Short Stories to Novels
Writing Found Footage Fiction
Why We Love Horror
Meta Horror, Analog Terror & AI’s Future Impact
The Power of Belief in Modern Horror

If you love found footage horror like The Blair Witch Project or Lake Mungo, metafiction novels like House of Leaves, or deep conversations about the craft of horror writing, then this episode is for you!

Follow Michael Wehunt:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelwehuntauthor/?hl=en
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@michaelwehuntauthor
Facebook: http://facebook.com/MichaelWehuntAuthor/
Website: https://michaelwehunt.com/

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What happens when true crime meets dark comedy and classic horror style? In this episode of the Dread Alert Podcast, Vince sits down with indie horror legend Chad Ferrin, writer, director, and producer of Dorothea, a twisted true crime horror film based on real events.

Ferrin, known for Ed Kemper and The Ghouls, dives deep into his filmmaking process, blending gritty realism with 80s-inspired visuals, split diopter shots, and a haunting score by Richard Band (Re-Animator, From Beyond). Hear how Ferrin turned the story of an elderly serial killer into one of the most surprising horror-comedies of the year, balancing laughs, chills, and shocking truths.

Topics covered:

• The true story behind Dorothea and adapting real crime into horror
• Balancing dark humor with respect for real victims
• Collaborating with composer Richard Band
• Low-budget filmmaking and run-and-gun directing
• Why Goodfellas, De Palma, and Mario Bava influence Ferrin’s style
• Upcoming projects: Sunset Strip Killers and The Devil’s Disciple

Whether you’re a horror fan, filmmaker, or true crime junkie, this episode is full of filmmaking insight, killer anecdotes, and indie spirit.

Dorothea releases November 4th on VOD

Follow Chad on Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chad.ferrin/

X: https://x.com/SKATD

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chad.ferrin/

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In this episode of The Dread Alert Podcast, Vince sits down with the minds behind the hit found-footage horror film looky-loo (2025), director Jason Zink and writer Nolan Mihail, to dig deep into the making of one of the most disturbing and innovative indie horrors of the year.

The trio discuss:
How looky-loo was shot from the perspective of a serial killer documenting his own crimes

The challenges of filming guerilla-style and blending reality with fiction

How the creative partnership sparked between the writer and director

How horror can reflect real-world violence and still be art that makes us think and feel

What fans can expect from looky-loo Part 2 (more cats, more chaos, and more chills)

Jason and Nolan open up about their DIY filmmaking process and why looky-loo proves you don’t need a huge budget to make a terrifying and meaningful movie.

Watch looky-loo (2025) on TubiTV, FoundTV, and grab the Blu-ray from Scream Team Releasing for exclusive behind-the-scenes content and commentary.

Follow looky-loo:

Website:
https://www.weirdontoppictures.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@weirdontoppictures

Watch looky-loo:
https://screamteamreleasing.com/search?type=product&q=looky-loo
https://tubitv.com/movies/100044167/looky-loo
https://watch.foundtv.com/show-details/looky-loo

Jason Zink
https://www.instagram.com/weirdontoppictures/
https://www.tiktok.com/@weirdontiktop

Nolan Mihail:
https://www.instagram.com/orderofthejackalope/

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Join Vince on this episode of The Dread Alert Podcast as he sits down with Linus O’Brien, director of the new documentary Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror, celebrating 50 years of The Rocky Horror Show and The Rocky Horror Picture Show!

Linus, son of Richard O’Brien, the creator of Rocky Horror and the original Riff Raff, discusses the making of this emotional, fan-focused documentary that explores the show’s origins, its cult phenomenon, and its enduring legacy within the LGBTQ+ community, theater, and midnight movie culture.

In this interview, Linus and Vince dive deep into:

• The making of Strange Journey and its incredible festival success
• Working with Tim Curry, Patricia Quinn, and the original cast to create the documentary
• The influence of Rocky Horror’s fandom and the global shadow cast community
• Behind-the-scenes stories about Richard O’Brien, the film’s music, and rediscovered archival footage
• How Rocky Horror continues to unite generations of fans and keep theaters alive

Whether you’re a lifelong Rocky Horror fan, a lover of music documentaries, or just discovering the wild world of cult cinema, this episode celebrates the joy, rebellion, and community that make The Rocky Horror Picture Show timeless.

Watch Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror: Now in theaters

Follow Linus O’Brien & the Documentary:
Website:
https://rockyhorrordoc.com/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/linus.obrien
https://www.instagram.com/rockyhorrordocumentary

Support the show

Follow us on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or Bluesky for more horror hot takes and reviews!

What happens when cosplayers meet the undead? In this episode of the Dread Alert Podcast, Vince Ventura teams up with A&B Horror Movies to chat with Erin Áine and Kyle Valle, the creative duo behind ZombieCON Vol. 1, the indie horror-comedy that’s taking over conventions and streaming platforms alike.

The filmmakers talk DIY filmmaking, balancing horror and comedy, and the heartfelt themes hiding beneath all that fake blood. From filmmaking fun facts to convention chaos, this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes stories, creative insight, and a celebration of indie horror done right.

Highlights Include:

• How ZombieCON Vol. 1 was made from the ground up
• The perks of working with friends
• How to survive a zombie apocalypse with cosplay and compassion
• What’s next for the ZombieCON team, including their new horror film It’s Watching

ZombieCON Vol. 1 is now available on Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango, YouTube Movies, and on DVD October 14th.

ZombieCON Vol. 1
Website: https://zombieconvol1.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombieconmovie/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zombieconmovie


A&B Horror Movies and Aaron’s Movie Page
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/abhorrormovies
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abhorrormovies/ / https://www.instagram.com/aaronsmovies8587/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aaronsmovies8587

Support the show

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In this episode of the Dread Alert Podcast, Vince sits down with Shirley Jackson Award-winning author Scott Thomas (Kill Creek, Violet) to discuss Midwestern Gothic, a chilling collection of four interconnected novellas that redefine small-town horror.

Scott shares how his Kansas roots shaped his vision of Midwestern Gothic, explores the legacy of guilt woven into the land, and reveals how each story, The Boy in the Woods, The Door in the Field, One Half of a Child’s Face, and Wear Your Secret Like a Stone, confronts the sins of the past and the cost of looking too closely.

Episode Highlights:

• How Midwestern Gothic expands the idea of Gothic horror to America’s heartland
• Writing complex, morally gray characters and slow-burn dread
• The real-life inspiration behind his stories
• His thoughts on empathy in horror and generational trauma
• Favorite horror novels and films that shaped his writing (The Shining, The Exorcist, House of Leaves, and more)
• A sneak peek at the Kill Creek sequel

If you love cosmic horror, folk horror, slow-burn tension, and deep literary insight into the genre, this episode is for you.

Midwestern Gothic is available now from Inkshares, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.
Follow Scott Thomas:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/scottthomascaresaboutyou

X: https://x.com/ninjawhenever

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scottthomaswriteshorror

Website: https://www.scottthomaswriter.com/

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Award-winning horror author CJ Leede joins us for a deep dive into her novel American Rapture, which was just released in paperback on September 16th. In this episode, we explore the journey behind American Rapture—a harrowing, post-apocalyptic road novel set in the Midwest that blends religious repression, viral outbreak, and the search for identity.

CJ opens up about her writing process, the decade-long evolution of American Rapture, and how releasing the ideas of sin, shame, and guilt shapes both her characters and her own creative journey. We also discuss her inspirations in horror, from discovering Stephen King to exploring catharsis, grief, and empathy through the genre.

Whether you’re a horror reader, a writer looking for inspiration, or a fan of post-apocalyptic and psychological horror, this conversation is packed with insights on storytelling, creativity, and the power of confronting fear through horror.

Highlights:

• CJ Leede on the paperback release of American Rapture
• How a decade of rewrites shaped the novel’s voice
• Growing up with religion and channeling repression into horror
• Horror as catharsis: from grief to found family
• Music, playlists, and writing rituals
• Roadside Americana, House on the Rock, and weird Midwest inspirations
• Favorite horror and apocalyptic stories (The Shining, Crawl, Atwood’s Oryx and Crake)
• Exclusive preview of Headlights (coming 2026)

Follow CJ Leede:

CJ’s Website: https://cjleede.com/

CJ’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceejthemoment

Support the show

Follow us on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or Bluesky for more horror hot takes and reviews!